Abstract
Recent research has highlighted a need for the psychometric evaluation of instruments targeting core domains of the pain experience in chronic pain populations. In this study, the measurement properties of Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36),EuroQol 5-dimensions (EQ-5D) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were analyzed within the item response-theory framework based on data from 35,908 patients. To assess the structural validity of these instruments, the empirical representations of several conceptually substantiated latent structures were compared in a cross-validation procedure. The most structurally sound representations were selected from each questionnaire and their internal consistency reliability computed as a summary of their precision. Finally, questionnaire scores were correlated with each other to evaluate their convergent and discriminant validity. Our results supported that SF-36 is an acceptable measure of 2 independent constructs of physical and mental health. By contrast, although the approach to summarize the health-related quality of life construct of EQ-5D as a unidimensional score was valid, its low reliability rendered practical model implementation of doubtful utility. Finally, rather than being separated into 2 subscales of anxiety and depression, HADS was a valid and reliable measure of overall emotional distress. In support of convergent and discriminant validity, correlations between questionnaires showed that theoretically similar traits were highly associated, whereas unrelated traits were not. Our models can be applied to score SF-36 and HADS in chronic pain patients, but we recommend against using the EQ-5D model due to its low reliability. These results are useful for researchers and clinicians involved in chronic pain populations because questionnaires' properties determine their discriminating ability in patient status assessment.
Highlights
During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of your physical health?
During the past 4 weeks, have you had any of the following problems with your work or other regular daily activities as a result of any emotional problems?
(20) During the past 4 weeks, to what extent has your physical health or emotional problems interfered with your normal social activities with family, friends, neighbors, or groups?
Summary
Item (1) I feel tense or ‘wound up’:. (2) I still enjoy the things I used to enjoy:. (2) I still enjoy the things I used to enjoy:. (3) I get a sort of frightened feeling as if something awful is about to happen:. (9) I get sort of frightened feeling like ‘butterflies’ in the stomach: Most of the time (3) A lot of the time (2) From time to time (1) Not at all (0). As much (0) Not quite so much (1) Only a little (2) Hardly at all (3). Very definitely and quite badly (3) Yes, but not too badly (2) A little, but it doesn’t worry me (1) Not at all (0). (12) I look forward with enjoyment to things:. As much as I ever did (0) Rather less than I used to (1) Definitely less than I used to (2) Hardly at all (3)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
